Signaling device



Oct. 28, 1924.

W. L. WALKER SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Oct. 25. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l WSN ww ll be i a@ @m31 aa M. we@

Oct. 28, 1924.

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W. I.. WALKER s IGNALING DEv CE Filed Oct. 25. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ETE-D 1,513,140 'rss PATENT ori-fics.

WILLIAM I.. WALKER, oF NEW YORK', N; Y.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

Application led October 235, 1920. Serial No. 419,400.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. WALKER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Signaling Devices, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention' relates to signaling devices and while the devices are primarily intended to be used for submarine signaling they are also adapted to be used on automobiles and elsewhere.

The object of the invention is to provide a unitary signaling device which is simple and compact in structure, which is adapted t-o be used under water, which may be readily tuned to produce signals of any. desired character, and which is eflcient and economical in use.

In order clearly to ldisclose the nature of the invention I have shown by way of example certain concrete embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a invention;

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the embodiment shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is aisection on line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is' an end elevationvof the embodi,

, ment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a central longitudinal section of a modification;

Fig. 8 is a similar section of another modification;

Fig. 9 is still another modification;

F ig, 10 is a section on line 10 10 of Fig. 7 r.

F ig.Y 11 is a section on line 11-11 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a central longitudinal section of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig.v 14 is a similar section of another embodiment;

Fig. 15 is a similar section of still another embodiment; and

Fig. 16 is a left end elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 13.

The particular embodiment illustrated on sheet 1 comprises a rectangular casing 1 which is preferably formed from a piece of brass tubing, the ends of thetube being plan of `one embodiment of the v closed by plugs 2 and 3 which are tightly fitted into the endsof the tube 1. Mounted .l

axially of the tube 1"is an electromagnetic structure comprising the laminated core 4 and energizing coils 5 and 6, the laminations of the core being disposed in vertical planes and the coils 5 and 6 being wound concentrically with the axis of the tubel. The core 4.is provided with heads 7 and 8 at its opposite ends and with an enlargement 9 at the ce ter, ,the windings 5 and 6 being disposed etween these heads Vand the central enlargement 9. The laminations are secured together at the center and ,at the ends by rivets 4 the heads of which are seated in countersunk openings in clamping plates 4.

Mounted above and beneath the electromagand 15 and from casing 1 by means of spacers 16 and 17. The spacers 14 and 15 are preferably paramagnetic to form a imagnetic connection between the case and the vibrators.` Bars 18 and 19 extend tr'afnsversely of the device above and below the central part 9 of the core and screws 2O extend through the bars 18 and 19, the casing 1, the bars 16 and 17, the vibrators 10,- 11 and 12, 13,'the spacers 15 and 16 and thence into the plates 4 as shown in Fig. 3. Other screws 21 extend through the spacers 16 and 17, the spacers 14 and 15 and thence into the plates 4". Anvils 22 are mounted along the inner walls of the casing, outside the' free ends of the vibrators, by means of screws 23 extending into the end plugs 2 and 3.

The coils 5 and 6 may be connected either in parallel or in series but they ably connected in series, the two coils being shown in Fig. 3 as joined together by Wire 5. The terminals of the coils are connected to binding'posts 24 and 25, as shown for example at 26 in Fig. 5, these binding posts being disposed in cavities 26 and 27 in the are prefer-l end plugs 2 and 3. Electrical cables 28 and in Fig. 5. The openings through which the cables 28 and 29 enter are rendered watertight by suitable packing glands 31 and 32. l

The operation of the deviceillustrated on' Sheet I is as follows. When alternating current or pulsating direct current is passed through the coils and 6 vibrators 10, 11, 12 and 13 are caused to vibrate to and fro, thereby striking the anvils 22 and setting up vibrations in the casing l which vibrations are transmitted to the surrounding media. The coils vand 6 may be so Aconnected that the end,7 of the core consti-p tutes a north pole and the end 8 a south pole, in which case magnet-ic flux flows in the same, direction throughout the entire the vibrators back Ato; the central enlargement 9. The outer casingl is preferably ma-de of brass or other diamagnetic material so as to avoid shunting magnetic flux from the vibrators.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that this device constitutes a very compact and permanent structure which is adapted for use as a signaling device in many situations and which is especially adapted for use in submarine signaling, inasmuch vas it is thoroughly watertight and not subject to rapid deterioration when submerged. Devices such as these are adapted to be connected at intervals, of say one thousand feet, along a cable submerged along a waterway and when energized either in series or in parallel. by alternating current transmitted along a cable they emit intense vibrations which may be detected by a ship traveling along the waterway to indicate the roper course. By varying the length ofV t etubular structure, by varying the length or weight r composition 'of the vibrators, or by otherwise adjusting the mechanical construction of the device it may be mechanically tuned to any desired period. Likewise by suitably proportioning the in ductance of the magnetic circuit the electrical circuit may be tuned ,to the same periodicity thereby rendering the circuit resonant and much more efficient. The ac.- tion of the cores would thus be similar to the action of loading coils on telephone circuits. In this casev it would probably be advisable to ground one end of the coils of each device to the case, the coils being thus all in parallel. A

Figures 7 to 11 show a few of the many variations to which the present invention is subject. In Fig. 7, 33 represents an electro-magnetic structurer of any suitable design, as for example that shown in Fig. 2. 34 represents an outer tubular casing which is cylindrical .as shown in Fig. 10, and which is closed at the ends. 35 represents a tubular vibrator corresponding to the vibrators to 13 in the first embodiment, these three parts being suitably positioned with respect to each other by means of spacers 36 and 37. The tube is preferably spaced from v casing 36 so that it strikes the outer casing, but its vibrations mayl be transmitted by the airl between the two tubes or by the mounting compensation therebetween or in other suit-able manner.

-The modification shown in Figs. 8 and 11 is similar to that shown in Figs. 7 and 10, except in that the tube 35 corresponding to 35 of Figs. 7 and 10, is split ony each side at each end as shown at 38,'thus permitting the divided vparts of the tube to vibrate independently toward and from each other much the same asin the case of the vibratorsv1013 in the first embodiment.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 12 differs from the preceding embodiment in that the electro-magnetic structure, indicated diagrammatically at 39, acts directly upon the outside casing instead of through the intermediary of one or more vibrators, y

the electrosma-gnet 39 being mounted directly in the casing 40 by means of spa ers 4,1 and 42 disposed between the ends of" he electromagiiet and the ends of the casing. In order to increase the effective vibration of the casing 40 it is flattened into the form of` an ellipse as shown in Fig. 12. Obviously any of the -otherembodiments may vbe thus flattened if desired.

but they diifer in that they are arranged to be actuated by mechanical means such as air, steam, exhaust from'an internal combustion engine, or the lkefinstead of by electromagnetic means. l

The form shown in Fig. 13 comprises a cylindrical tubular casing 42 of steel or bronze, open at both ends, within which is mounted a frame or spiderv43 by means of four screws 44. The spider 43 has an axial opening 45 and tubular extensions 46 and 47, the extensions 46 and 47 having openings 48 and 49 extending therethrough to the spaces 50 and 51. Fitted over the tubular extensions 46 and 47 are tubes 52 and 53, these tubes being spaced from the outer tube 42 by a very thin space of say .O01 or .002 of an inch in thickness. The tubes 52 and 53 are closed at their ends by plugs 54 and 55, the plug 54 having a threaded opening adapted to receive a pipe 56. Upon supplying air, steam, exhaust gases from an 1n-y thence through the openings 49 to the space4 51 and thence outwardly to the right through the thin space between the tubes 42 and 53.

The iiow of gaseous fluid through the thin spaces between the tubes 42 and the tubes 52 and 5 3 respectively causes the free ends of the outer tube 42 to vibrate and thereby set up signal disturbances. y d l The embodiment shown in Fig. 14 comprises an outer casing 57, an inner tube 58, a ring 59'and plugs 60 and 61 and a `fluid connection 62. The tube 58 has an annular raised portion extending around the central portion of its outer` periphery, this raised. portion having a thickness equal to the distance between the tubes 57 and 58, say from .001 or .002 of an inch. The parts are held together` by screws f63 extending through the outer tube 57, thence `through the thickened portion of the tube 58 and thence into the ring 59. Oneach side of the ring 59y openings 64 and 65 are provided in the tube 58. Upon admitting fluid under pressure to the interior of the device through tube 62 the fluid flows through the openings 64 and 65 and thence outwardly between the tubes 57 and 58', causing the free ends of the tube 57 to" vibrate.

The form shown in Fig.' 15 is similar to that shown in Fig. `13 in that it comprises the outer tube 42', inner tubes 52'- and 53', a spider 43 `secured to the outer tube 42 by means of screws 44. But it diiiers from the form shown in Fig. 13 in that the tubes 52 and 53 are made thinner and have no plugs in their free ends so `that they may vibrate as Well as the outer tube 42'; also in that tubular extensions 46 and 47 of the spider 43 are `closed with plugs 65 and 66 andthe pipe connection 62 is threaded into an axial opening in the plug 65. By arranging both the inner and the outer tubes to vibrate the intensity of the. vibrations is considerablyincreased.

The forms shown in Figs. 13 to 16 may be used either under Water assubmarine signaling devices or in air, as for example, automobile sirens. These'devicesl may also 4be ytuned by suitably proportioning the lengths of the tubes and the thickness and character of the materials.

An important feature of the magnetic forms of the invention consists in that the air gaps are very small and consequently the magnet systems operate at a very high eiciency.

I claim:

1. A signaling device comprising an elongate hollow member having a thin wall capable of vibration, and lmeans supported substantially midway the ends of said hollow member and extending longitudinally in opposite directions from its pointof support constructed and arranged to cause the opposite end portions of the hollow member to vibrate.

2. A signaling device comprising a tubular member, an elongate vibrator supported substantially midway of the ends of the tubular member and: extending in opposite diu rections from its pdint of support and means for actuating the vibrator. 3. A signaling device comprising an elongate tubular member, closures for the ends of the tubular member, a support arranged substantially midway the ends of the` tubular member, a vibrator secured to the support, electro-magnetic means for actuating the vibrator, said electro-magnetic means including conducting wires, and terminals for said wires carried by the end closures respectively of the tubular member. 4. A signaling device comprising. an outer tubular member and an inner vibrating member. centrally secured to the tubular Imember and extending along the'inner surface of said tubular member.

v 5. A signaling device comprising a tubular memberand means within the same providing diametrally opposed vibratory elements disposed lo'sely'adjacentvto the ,inner surfac-e of the tubular member and extending longitudinally of the member.

6. A signaling device comprising a tubular member, closures for the ends of said member, a support intermediate the ends of said member, vibrators extending in opposite directions from the support and ldisposed closely adjacent to the wall of the tubular member, and electro-magnetic means for actuating said vibrator.

7. A signaling device comprising a tubular member, an electro-magnet disposed concentrically within the tubular member, and

vibrator members extending longitudinally of the tubular member at diametrally op'- posite ends thereof,- said vibrator members being disposed between the magnet and the inner wall of theA tubular member and closely adjacent to the latter.

8. A signal including a casing, vvibrators for settingup vibrations in the walls of the casing and a magnet mounted in the casing, fastening members passing centrally through the casing, magnet, and vibrators for securing the parts in assembled relation, and spacing members intermediate the casing and the vibrators and'intermediate the vibrators and the magnet.

ltions at the center and en 9. A signal deviceincludinga casing, vibrators and an actuating magnet, means for securing the magnet `and vibrators within the casing, plugs forming closures for the casing, electrical connections carried by the plugs for completing the magnet circuit,

and anvil members carried by the plugs and j I' cross section from end to end disposed within said/'annular space at substantially diametrally opposite points, said bars being supported at one end and having their other ends disposed to engage the walls of the casing. i

1 1. A signaling device comprisinga tube, a ma etic core extending along the axis of sai tube, windings extending transversely around said core, and vibrators extending longitudinally between said 'win'dings and saidl tube, said vibrators being centrally secured to the magnet and having free ter- .minal portions actuated thereby.

, 12. A signaling device comprising a tube, a magnetic, core extending along the axis of said tube, windings extending transversely around said core, and a vibratorextendin'g lon 'tudinally between said windingsv and .sai tube, said core having portions extending radially into juxtaposition to said vibrator at spa-ced intervals along the vibrator.

' 13. A signal device comprisinga tube, a magnetic core extending along the axis of said tube, the core having radial projections at the center and ends, windings betweensaid projections, and vibrators extending from said central projection into juxtaposition to said end projections for producing audible vibrations of the tube lwhen intermittently actuated by the magnetic device.

14. A signal device comprising a tube, a

magnetic core extending along the axis of radial projecs, windings between said projections, and vibrators ex-l tending from said. central projection into said tube, the core having 'juxtaposition to saidr end projections, said tube and core and vibrators-being mechanically connected together at said central`pro jection and actuation of the vibrators producing audible vibrations ofthe tube.

15. A signal device comprising a tube, a magnetic` core extending along theaxis of said tube, the core having radial projections at the center and ends, between said projections, and vibrators extending lpoints midwa rically from said central projection into juxtaposition to said end projections, said vibrators being separated from said tube Tand said centralv projections by spacers and serving when actuated to produce audible vibrations of the tube.

16. A signaling device comprising a casing, an electromagnet within the casing, said magnet having a core terminating in a head, an anvil secured to the wall of the casing opposite to said head but spaced therefrom, and a resilient vibrator sup- Y brant elongate tubular`shell having ,a central nodal point, a sup ort secured to the shell at such nodal poin an elongate bar secured midway its len h to the support and having itsi free en portions disposed closely adjacent to the wall of the shell, and electro-magnetic means for vibrating the opposite lends of the bar simultaneously, the

electro-magnetic means being tuned to cor' respond to the natural period of vibration of the free ends of the bar.

19. A f signaling device comprising an elongate casing, a plurality of parallel velongate diametrally opposed vibrator members arranged within the casing supported at their lengths whereby the free end portlons of each vibrator extend in opposite directions and parallel with the walls of the casing in close proximity thereto, and means'for causing the free end portions o both vibrators to vibrate toward vand from he adjacent wall of the casing.

20. A signal device including anl elongate tubular casing, a supporting memberintermediate the length' of the casing, vibratable members within the casing having portions immediatelyadiacent the casin at diametopposite portions thereoA said members tending from the support toward the ends of the casing, and means disposed intermediate said parts for producing vibrations therein.

Si 7th ay of October, 1920.4

WILLIAM L. WALKER.`

eing carried by the support and ex-l ed by me at New York, N. Y., this 

